10 ways to de-clutter when you move house

Congratulations, you’re moving house! Which means it is time to get really good at life and seize an opportunity to sort out your clutter. When faced with the task of dismantling everything and moving it into boxes, it can be pretty daunting. But what if you only had to box-up the things you actually need?

Moving house is a prime time to throw out everything which is gathering dust. Not only does it mean you have less stuff to pack, but you have less stuff to unpack! Easier said than done you say? We are all guilty of hoarding things sometimes, but this handy guide will help you decide what to keep, and what isn’t worth the effort. Here are 10 things you should evaluate when you move house.

Ditch anything you got for free

Unless whatever you were given for free has a real use, then chuck it. That inflatable cup holder you got from that marketing firm last year? You probably don’t need it. The same goes for that free pen which doesn’t work any more, and the free cereal bar which you never liked the look of, but thought it MUST come in use at some point… Wrong. Trash it all and don’t look back.

Chuck novelty gifts

Remember when your aunt gave you that book of cats doing yoga because she knows you’re a feline fan? It is collecting dust now isn’t it? Novelty gifts are hilarious for all of 10 minutes. After that, you have to admit they’re pretty useless. Save yourself the effort, push that guilty feeling to the back of your mind, and either re-gift it or give it to charity.

How many sets of bed sheets do you need?

If you have 5 different sets of bed-sheets it is time to be sensible. Having too many bed sheets means they pile up in the bottom of the wash pile until you have room to fit them in the machine. Two sets of bed sheets is all you need! Pick your favourite, send the rest to charity.

Throw out duplicate ANYTHING

We usually replace things like shirts, mascara, broken tech, but a lot of the time we can’t bring ourselves to chuck out the thing we are replacing! It makes zero sense but we all do it. Take the plunge and ditch them, it’s better than lugging them in the van! Remember, two can be as bad as one…

Say goodbye to old make-up/ toiletries/ products you just don’t use

Sometimes we buy a product thinking it will be the best thing ever, but it just isn’t. Whether you’re allergic to it, it doesn’t work, or it smells horrible, the question remains – why is it still here? Bin it without a second thought, let’s face it is never going to come to good use! Plus it is a great excuse to refresh your make-up bag. Old make-up isn’t good for your face, chuck it and replace it for a new you.

Chuck those old gadgets you don’t use

When packing up your stuff, you’ll probably come across loads of old gadgets and old phones. You can actually be pretty savvy about this! You can sell old phones online for cash, and you can use comparison sites like CompareMyMobile to make sure you get the most money for them – not only does this lighten your load to move, but you’ll help cover the costs! You can bag hundreds from old phones lying around gathering dust, so get selling.

Return anything you have borrowed

This is the best time to return EVERYTHING you borrowed off your mate but forgot to give back… Or only remembered to give back when it had been an embarrassingly long time since you borrowed it. The great excuse “oh my look what I just found in the back of my wardrobe/ under the bed, I’m so sorry have it back.” Not only will this clear your room, but it will clear your conscience!

Don’t keep stuff you had forgotten about

If you come across anything which prompts you to say ‘I had totally forgotten about this!’ it probably means you didn’t miss it, and you won’t use it. Don’t listen to the little voice telling you it MIGHT come into use at some point… It won’t. In the charity shop bag it goes. Or if you think it is of use, then sell it! Moving is an expensive thing to do, make the most of things which can boost your bank.

Give away clothes you never wear

If you have a shirt which always makes you feel frumpy, or a dress which you panic bought and wore once for that party but now you hate, then now is the time to let go. The more you trim down your wardrobe, the more you can replace things with items of clothing you know you will actually wear, it is a win/win situation.

Don’t hang on to old notebooks and school work

Still hanging onto those old history notes from when you were 15? You probably worked hard to make them, but bets are you don’t actually need them now. Have a flick through and keep anything you are particularly proud of, then ditch the rest. Paper is heavy stuff, don’t break your backs carting unnecessary amounts of it around. Plus if you recycle it then you are saving the planet!